Lining for sinks or the like



Jun w gB Ts o 2,421,808

LINING FOR SINK/S OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 24, 1945 INVENTOR 1 I6 .Auoaaw W. Roazgrsou.

BWM

ATTORNEY Patented June 10, 1947 2,421,808 LINING FOR SINKS OR THE LIKE Andrew W. Robertson, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

East

Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 24, 1945, Serial No. 579,543

My invention relates to sinks, more particularly to kitchen sinks, and it has for'an object to provide a protective lining or insert therefor, which lining may be readily applied to the sink and removed therefrom.

In accordance with the invention, I provide, as a new article of manufacture, a lining of the character set forth, which, being formed of a resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber or other plastics, will closely conform to thewall members of the sink and define a cushioning covering for the wall members whereby breakage and chipping of china and glassware which are cleansed in the sink are substantially reduced. Furthermore, the lining protects the vitreous finish on the sink against stains or chipping and permits the washing of dishes and pans with less clatter than usually accompanies this operation.

The foregoing and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen sink having a lining constructed in accordance with my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a double basin liner applied to a single basin sink;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a double basin sink having a double basin liner applied thereto;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the drain opening of the liner shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the drain opening of the liner shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view showing a modified form of the drain opening in the liner shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the under surface of the liners illustrated.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing wherein I have shown a liner, generally indicated at H), constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention and applied to a kitchen sink. The latter includes a drain board I having a well or basin l2 formed in an intermediate portion thereof. The well i2 is defined by side walls l3 which extend downwardly from the drain board H and a bottom wall l4, the latter having a drain opening l5 formed therein (see Fig. 4). The drain opening I5 is connected in any Well understood manner 2 Claims. (Cl. 4-183) to a trap or drain pipe I6. A backboard ll.

extends upwardly from the rear margin of the drain board II and supports hot and cold water faucets shown at l8. The faucets l8 are provided with a. conventional discharge spout |9 which may be swung horizontally to discharge water into different portions of the well or basin I2. As is well understood, the surfaces of the sink are usually covered with a vitreous enamel finish.

The liner I0 includes an apron 2| which is adapted to cover substantially all portions of the drain board II and which is provided with a well or basin 22 in an intermediate portion thereof. The basin 22 is defined by side walls 23 and a bottom wall 24, the latter having a drain opening 25 formed therein which communicates with the drain opening l5 of the sink. (See Fig. 4.) An upstanding bead 26 is formed on the liner peripherally of the apron 2| thereof to prevent the spillage of water over the edge of the liner.

The liner I0 is integrally molded or otherwise suitably formed of a resilient waterproof material such as, for example, natural or synthetic rubber. The liner is proportioned so that, when applied to the sink, the various portions thereof closely conform to the corresponding portions of the sink. Preferably, the apron portions 2| of the liner are held snugly in engagement with the drain board II by suction cups or recesses 21 (see Fig. 8) which are spaced apart on the under surface of the apron 2|. It may be desirable to provide a series of suction recesses 28 on the bottom wall 24 of the liner around and adjacent the opening 25 thereof which will serve to hold the portion of the bottom wall 24 adjacent the opening 25 firmly in engagement with the bottom wall l4 of the sink, whereby the seepage of water between the bottom walls 24 and M of the liner and the sink is prevented.

In use, the liner ||l provides a cushioned working surface and prevents or substantially reduces breakage of china or glassware which may be accidentally dropped during washing thereof. Furthermore, this cushioned surface reduces clatter during the washing of tableware and pans usually caused, by contact thereof with the hard vitreous finish on the sink. Chipping of the vitreous finish is prevented by the cushioning liner, which also prevents staining of the vitreous finish usually caused by acid in food, particularly citrus fruits. The liner may be provided in different colors or designs to match the decorations in the kitchen.

All surfaces of the liner and the vitreous sink I the bottom Wall may be cleaned after the removal of the liner from the sink. The latter operation is effected by lifting the edges of the apron 2| so as to admit air to the suction recesses 21, after which the liner may be removed for cleansing. A hole 29 may be provided in one end of the liner so that it may be hung on a peg or hook to dry or while the sink is being cleansed.

In Figs. .2 and .5 tofZ, I have shown a liner 3!) having a center partition 3| and which may be applied to a single basin sink in order to provide a double basin sink arrangement. The partition 3| extends to the bottom of the liner 30 and is joined to the bottom wall '24 of the liner .30 to define a pair of basins 32 ;and;3;3 in the liner.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown a hollow neck 34 formed on the bottom wall 24 which isadapted to fit within the drain pipe iii of the sink. A still reinforcing ring 35 may be molded in the neck 34 to stifien the neck and assure its proper fit within the pipe It. In this embodiment, the partition 3-! extends downwardly to the bottom of the neck 34 so that respective drain openings 36=and 37 {are provided for "the basins 32 and 33.

A suitable stopper 39, generally semicircular in cross section and shown in broken lines, may be provided for closing the qpeningsiit :and 37. The liner 3!) is otherwise constructed and used in the same manner as described in connection with the liner H3 shown in Fig. 1.

In Rig. 7, a different form of drain outlet is shown for the liner 3!) :(Fig. 2). The drain opening for :the basins 2 and .33 is shown .at 4| in the bottom wall 24. The partition 3-! is joined to the bottom wall 24 and extends .across the top of the opening M. In this embodiment, as in Figs. -5 and 6, a stopper 39 may be employed to prevent draining-of water fromeither basin 32 or -33-to the opening 41.

In Fig. 3, ,I have shown a liner 5!) applied to a sink .5! having double basins 52 and :53. The liner .53 has a hollowcenter partition-.54 which fits over the-adjacent end walls 55 of .the basins .52 and. 53. The partition 54! definesa .pair of basins .56 and .51 in the liner .50.. In this embodiment, of course, .each basin 56 and v5'! will be provided with ,a drain :opening similar to that shown at .25 in Fig. 4. The liner 5.0, otherwise, ,is constructed and employed in the same manner as disclosedin connectionwith the liners l6 and .30.

.I haveshown and .described liners wherein the bottom walls-24 thereof closely engage the bottom walls M .of the sink with registering drain .open- .ings .25 and 15, but it will be understood that the bottom .wall -25 of the liner may be spaced above 1.5 .of the sink so that the drain opening 225 in the linermay .bearranged otherwise .than in direct alignment with the opening L5 in the sink.

From the foregoing description, it will be .apparent that I have provided, as a .new .article of manufacture, a liner tor a sink which may be readily applied to and removed from the sink. Being of resilient. construction, the .Jinerwill .conform tothe surfaces of the .sink which itcovers and snugly engage these surfaces. The .cushioning provided b the resilient ,liner reduces the noise accompanying washing operations ,in the sink, and the liner will prolong the life of a vitreous enamel sink by preventing chipping and Staining of the vitreous finish thereon.

I have described my liner applied to a vitreous sink or one having a relatively expensive vitreous enamel finish. This would be the case where a liner were purchased for application 'to a sink already installed. However, my liner may be manufactured .and sold as apart ofja new low cost sink having a relatively inexpensive protective finish and would, therefore, provide an attractive, renewable cover for these sinks. Such .of the liner liners could be renewed at low cost from time to time if they become damaged or if it becomes .desirableto-change the color of the liner in order to match .any redecoration of the kitchen.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is 1.. As a new article .of manufacture, ,a liner for a .sink structure having side walls and .a, bottom wall providing a well within the sink structure, said bottom wall having a .drain opening therein, said liner including side walls and .a bottom wall integrally formed .of .a resilient water-proof material andc'losely fitting within the well of the structure and a transverse wall integral with and connecting opposed side walls .and the bottom wall of the liner .for providinga ,pair of wells within the liner, said transverse wall having a portion thereof aligned above the .drainopening of thesinkanddefining, with portions of 'thebottom wall .of;the liner, .apair .of openings providing, respectively, communication between said wells and the .drain opening of the .sink structure.

.2. As anewarticle of manufacture, .aliner for a .sink structure having side walls and .a bottom wall providing .a well within the sink structure, .saidlbottom wall having .a drain opening therein, said liner includingside walls .and a bottom wall integrally formed of .a resilient water proof .ma-

'terialandcloselyfitting .withjthe .well of the sink structure, a transverse wall integral with .and

connecting opposed .side walls .and the bottom wall .of the .liner for providing a hair of wells within the liner, a generally cylindrical .hollow neck extending downwardly from .the bottom wall of .the "liner and closely fitting within said opening in the sirikstructuresaid transverse wall having a portion thereof extending diametrically of and within the neck iondefining a pair of respective drain openings for the wells .of the liner.

ANDREW ROBERTSON.

REFERENCES CITED The followi-ng references are of record :in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

